Zhengzhou Airport vs. Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone 

Upper pic: Zhengzhou Airport in 1977 

Lower pic: T2 Terminal of Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in 2024.

Agricultural Vocational School vs. Seed Laboratory

Upper pic: In 1995, a specialized apple planting training class was launched in Luoning county, Henan province. 

Lower pic: In 2024, the Central Plains Agricultural Valley in Henan province attracted many seed companies, research institutions, and financial firms to set up operations.

Drought Resistance vs. South-to-North Water Diversion Project

Upper pic: In 1957, members of the Red Star Second Agricultural Cooperative in Daying township, Shan county, Henan province walked several miles to the Yellow River to fetch water for the drought combat. 

Lower pic: In 2024, the Xinchen Bridge section of the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project in Nanyang city, Henan province, showcases beautiful autumn scenery.

Black-and-White TV vs. Interactive VR Experience

Upper pic: Farmers in Yanling county, Xuchang city, were watching TV in 1986. 

Lower pic: On September 15, 2024, children at Xinhua Bookstore in Xiayi county, Shangqiu city, were using VR equipment to observe the moon ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Oracle Bone Excavation vs. New Yinxu Museum 

Upper pic: The archaeological excavation site of Yinxu oracle bones in Anyang city, Henan province, in 1936. 

Lower pic: In 2024, the new Yinxu Museum opened in Anyang city, Henan province, and in its first six months, the visitor numbers exceeded one million.

Bungalows Everywhere vs. High-Rise Buildings into the Clouds

Upper pic: On October 1, 1959, 300,000 people gathered in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

Lower pic: On September 25, with China's National Day approaching, giant national flags "illuminated" the night sky over Erqi Square in Zhengzhou city.

Sparse Trees vs. Shady Trees 

Upper pic: People were reinforcing the YellowRiver Levee in 1958. 

Lower pic: On September 13, 2024, a car drove along the tree-lined Yellow River Levee in Zhengzhou city. 

Human-Powered Waterwheel vs. Automatic Sprinkler Irrigation 

Upper pic: In 1958, people in Yancheng county, Luohe city, were using a "water truck" to irrigate their fields. 

Lower pic: On March 22, 2024, farmers were using large automatic sprinklers for irrigation in Wangzhuang town, Xun county, Hebi city, Henan province.

Markets vs. Shopping Centers and Supermarkets 

Upper pic: a market in Luoning county, Luoyang city, Henan province, in 1962.

Lower pic: The Dennis David Plaza in Zhengzhou city, Henan province, in 2024.

Traditional Coal Mining vs. Intelligent Coal Mining Machines 

Upper pic: In 1958, workers in Sanmenxia city, Henan province, were tunneling underground. 

Lower pic: In 2023, the first batch of ultra-large intelligent hydraulic supports from Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co., Ltd. was delivered. 

Bicycles vs. New Energy Vehicles

Upper pic: People were purchasing Songcheng bicycles in Kaifeng city, Henan province, in 1978. 

Lower pic: In 2023, new energy buses made by Yutong, a leading bus brand from Henan, were exported to Chile from Shanghai Port.

Simplicity vs. Grandeur 

Upper pic: On April 15, 1983, the first Luoyang Peony Fair opened at Wangcheng Park in Luoyang city, Henan province. 

Lower pic: On April 1, 2024, the 41st China Luoyang Peony Culture Festival opened at Shangyang Palace Cultural Park in Luoyang city, Henan province.

Old Bridge vs. New Bridge 

Upper pic: The Zhengzhou Yellow River Bridge on the Beijing-Hankou Railway in 1955. 

Lower pic: In 2021, four bridges from different eras spanned the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, Henan province.

Abacus vs. Computational Power 

Upper pic: In 1960, a teacher in Dancheng county, Zhoukou city, Henan province, was teaching how to use an abacus. 

Lower pics: On September 28, 2024, the 2024 China Computational Power Conference opened in Zhengzhou city, Henan province.

The First Domestically Produced Tractor vs. Driverless Tractor 

Upper pic: In 1960, a domestic tractor rolled off the production line at the First Tractor Factory in Luoyang city, Henan province. 

Lower pic: In 2024, an unmanned tractor produced by YTO Group Corporation in Luoyang city, Henan province.

Photo Studio vs. Mobile Selfie 

Upper pic: In 1956, farmers in Meng county, Jiaozuo city, Henan province, were taking a "family photo". 

Lower pic: On the evening of January 5, models were posing for a group photo on a stage in Anyang city, Henan province.

Satellite Receiving Station vs. Satellite Manufacturing 

Upper pic: In 1987, a satellite receiving station was built in Xinxian county, Xinyang city, Henan province. 

Lower pic: On March 27, 2024, technicians at the Tianzhang Satellite Intelligent Manufacturing Base in Hebi city, Henan province tested satellite thrusters. This base is the first high-end manufacturing and digital satellite production line in the Central Plains of China.

Green-skinned Train vs. High-Speed Rail

Upper pic: In 1988, people rushed to get on the green-skinned train. 

Lower pic: In 2024, Zhang Lifang, a high-speed rail train conductor from the Zhengzhou Passenger Transportation Section, was on duty in the train carriage.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao